Name & Title: Beth Zafonte, Director Economic Development Services

Company Name: Akerman LLP

Address: 666 Fifth Ave. 19th Floor, New York, NY 10103

Website: www.akerman.com

What market trend(s) will impact your industry in 2019? 

Opportunity Zones. 

Opportunity Zones. 

Opportunity Zones. 

This new program is more wide-ranging than any previous federal economic development initiative. Everyone appears to be jumping on the bandwagon, even in advance of clear guidance from Treasury on many aspects of the program. I speak to multiple people every day requesting assistance in this regard. It’s a fun time to be in economic development. Between the Amazon deal and Opportunity Zones, there’s been quite a storm of activity and work that will continue into 2019 and beyond. 

Do you have any New Year’s Resolution(s)? 

Despite my best efforts, I must admit that I fail miserably each year at keeping my New Year’s resolution. This year I am going to try a new approach and make smaller monthly goals for myself. It seems more realistic and sustainable to tackle something for 30 days rather than 365.